The condom market in Spain

The condom is a product that is usually made of latex and is used as a means of contraception and protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Although the condom market represents both male and female versions of the product, it is important to note that the female condom is very underrepresented in the market and, therefore, this study will focus primarily on the male condom.In Spain, the male condom accounted for almost 60% of the contraceptive market in 2016 . [IPMark]

The global condom market is growing and is expected to continue to do so in the coming years. However, this dynamism must be relativized depending on the region. The Chinese market, for example, has strong growth potential compared to the more mature European and American markets. The global condom market is estimated at US$8.7 billion in 2020.

In Spain, however, the trend is different. Although the country remains one of the largest consumers of condoms globally, consumption has been declining over the years, with a30% decrease in the number of condoms used in the country between 2009 and 2019. This decline in condom use (predominantly by the younger generations) explains the dramatic increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases recorded in the country over the same period of time.

The Spanish condom market is heavily dominated by two main brands, Durex and Control. Over the years, the players in the sector have considerably expanded their product range to go beyond the function of contraception or protection, and now offer numerous products to enhance the sexual experience. Therefore, innovation plays a key role , and thehe range of condoms on offer is becoming ever wider. Among the wide range of condom types offered, there are ribbed condoms, condoms with micro-pearls, condoms with thermal effect or extra-thin condoms, to name a few.

Although condoms are still mostly distributed by supermarkets and pharmacies, the role of online retailers (namely Amazon) has been steadily increasing over the years.

Finally, it is important to note that condoms remain a very specific product because they are linked to the healthcare sector. For example, in 2019, the Spanish Ministry of Health announced the launch of a study on free condoms as part of a plan to combat HIV. The impact of public bodies is therefore an element that could profoundly change the organization of this market.